Obscura: A mobile game with camera based mechanics

Abstract

The introduction of Augmented Reality (AR) technology in games for mobile devices has greatly improved user experience on these devices. Moving on from basic multi-touch interactions, built-in camera and gyroscope functions in mobile devices can also be harnessed to create a different interaction experience. This concept has not been fully explored or realized in the form of a game. In this paper, we introduced camera based mechanics to a new AR mobile game to create a gaming environment that immerses mobile devices with their physical surroundings. The mobile game “Obscura” was implemented with Unity3D, with a wide range of features: the use of camera and gyroscope to create movements, artificial superimposition of enemy creatures, and multi-touch interactions to create the enemy-capturing mechanics. Visual, audio and haptic feedback were also provided to the player to heighten gaming experience. By qualitative user evaluation on a target interest group, all participants responded positively to the gameplay of Obscura. An accomplished score of 5.3 out of 6 for overall game experience was achieved.